Server for allocating a frequency for wireless audio communications

ABSTRACT

A method is provided for allocating a frequency for wireless audio communications. A request is received for a frequency for wireless audio communications. The request contains the location, the time period, the quantity of required wireless communications paths and/or the available equipment for the wireless audio communications. This request is compared with information about frequency use which is stored in databases. Possible frequency ranges are outputted, and the possible frequency ranges are allocated to transmitting and/or receiving units of the requested audio communications.

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/558,185, filed on Nov. 9, 2006 now U.S. Pat. No. 8,155,593, whichclaims priority of German Application No. 10 2005 054 258.1, filed Nov.11, 2005, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by referencein their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

a) Field of the Invention

The present invention is directed to a method for allocating a frequencyfor wireless audio communications, a frequency information server, atransmitter-receiver device, mobile wireless audio communicationsapparatus, and a wireless microphone reception system.

b) Description of the Related Art

Wireless microphones and wireless in-ear monitors are becomingincreasingly popular, while the frequencies available for theiroperation remain limited. Therefore, the available frequency ranges mustbe used multiple times, for example, with respect to place or time.Consequently, usable microphone frequencies must be calculated andcorrespondingly coordinated. Active protection against interference orreduction of interference is made possible by taking into accountexternal sources of interference arising from other wirelessapplications.

OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, it is the primary object of the present invention to providea method for allocating frequencies for wireless audio communicationswhich makes efficient use of the available frequency ranges.

This object is met, in accordance with the invention, by a method forallocating a frequency for wireless audio communications comprising thefollowing steps: receiving a request for a frequency for wireless audiocommunications, wherein the request contains the location, the timeperiod, the quantity of required wireless communications paths and/orthe available equipment for the wireless audio communications; comparingthe request with information about frequency allocation which is storedin databases; displaying possible frequency ranges; and allocating thepossible frequency ranges to transmitter units and/or receiver units ofthe requested wireless audio communication.

Also in accordance with the invention, the object is met by a frequencyinformation server for allocating a frequency for a wireless audiocommunications path comprising an input-output interface for receivingrequests for a frequency for a wireless audio communications path,wherein the request contains the location, the time period, the quantityof wireless audio communications paths and/or the available equipmentfor the audio communications path; at least one database for storinginformation about utilized frequency, location, terminal, types ofequipment and/or the users of wireless audio communications paths; acalculation unit for coordinating the requested audio communicationspath with the information stored in the at least one database and forallocating transmission parameters of the requested wireless audiocommunications path; and a frequency information server interface foroutputting the transmission parameters of the requested wireless audiocommunications paths which are assigned by the calculation unit.

Further in accordance with the invention, the object is met by atransmitter receiver device for a wireless audio communications pathcomprising a transmitter-receiver unit for wireless transmission andreception, a transmission-reception interface for receiving allocatedtransmission parameters for the wireless audio communications path of anexternal frequency server; a server for storing the parameters of thewireless audio communications path which are received by thetransmission reception interface; and a control unit for controlling thetransmitter-receiver unit based on the transmission parameters stored inthe storage.

Accordingly, a method is provided for allocating a frequency forwireless audio communications. A request for a frequency for wirelessaudio communications received. The request contains the location, thetime period, the quantity of required wireless communication pathsand/or the available equipment for wireless audio communications. Thisrequest is compared with information about frequency traffic that isstored in databases. Possible frequency ranges are given out and thepossible frequency ranges are assigned to transmitting and/or receivingunits of the requested wireless audio communication.

The flexibility, availability, quality and coordination of the availablefrequency ranges can be improved by the method according to theinvention.

The invention is also directed to a frequency information server forallocating a frequency for a wireless audio communications path. Theserver has an input-output interface for receiving requests for afrequency for a wireless audio communications path. This request canhave the location, the time period, the quantity of wireless audiocommunications paths and/or the available equipment for the wirelessaudio communications path. Further, the frequency information server hasat least one database for storing information about the utilizedfrequency, location, terminal, types of equipment and/or the user ofwireless audio communications paths. A calculation unit coordinates therequested audio communications paths with the information stored in theat least one database. The transmission parameters of the requestedwireless audio communications path are allocated. Further, the frequencyinformation server has a frequency information server interface forgiving out the transmission parameters of the requested wireless audiocommunications path which are assigned by the calculation unit.

The invention is also directed to mobile wireless audio communicationsapparatus with a transmitter-receiver device for transmitting and/orreceiving wirelessly transmitted audio signals. Further, the audiocommunications apparatus has a storage for storing transmissionparameters for the wireless audio communications path. A control unitcontrols the transmitter-receiver unit based on the transmissionparameters stored in the storage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a wireless transmission-reception systemaccording to an embodiment example of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

It is to be understood that the figures and descriptions of the presentinvention have been simplified to illustrate elements that are relevantfor a clear understanding of the present invention, while eliminating,for purposes of clarity, many other elements which are conventional inthis art. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that otherelements are desirable for implementing the present invention. However,because such elements are well known in the art, and because they do notfacilitate a better understanding of the present invention, a discussionof such elements is not provided herein.

The present invention will now be described in detail on the basis ofexemplary embodiments.

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a wireless transmission-reception systemaccording to a first embodiment example of the invention. The systemincludes a wireless transmitter-receiver device SEM, mobile audiocommunications apparatus, i.e., a wireless in-ear monitor IEM, awireless microphone DM, and a frequency information server FIS. Thewireless microphone DM registers audio signals and transmits these audiosignals to the transmitter-receiver device SEM. The transmitter-receiverdevice SEM sends audio signals wirelessly to the in-ear monitor IEMwhich converts the received signals into an audio signal.

Also shown is an external frequency information server FIS which servesto determine the transmission-reception parameters of the in-ear monitorIEM, of the wireless microphone DM, and of the transmitter-receiverdevice SEM and to convey them to the transmitter-receiver device SEM.Based on this information and parameters such as thetransmitting-receiving frequency, the transmitting power, thetransmitting time, etc., a wireless communications path can be producedbetween the transmitter-receiver device SEM, the in-ear monitor IEM andthe wireless microphone DM.

Accordingly, the transmitter-receiver device SEM has atransmitter-receiver interface SESS, a control unit SESE, atransmitter-receiver storage SES and a transmitter-receiver unit SEE.The transmitter-receiver device SEM receives information and parametersfor the required reception paths from an external wireless informationserver FIS via this transmitter-receiver interface SESS. Thisinformation is stored in the transmitter-receiver storage SES. Thecontrol unit SESE controls the wireless transmitter-receiver unit SEEbased on this information and parameters. In particular, control oradjustment of the frequency and of the transmission-reception power ofthe wireless communications paths provided by the transmitter-receiverunit SEE is carried out in this way. The frequency and the respectivetransmission-reception power of the transmitter-receiver unit SEE arepreferably first transmitted to the in-ear monitor IEM and/or thewireless microphone DM during the initialization of the in-ear monitorIEM and/or of the wireless microphone DM. This can be carried out, forexample, on a fixedly defined initialization frequency which is storedin the transmitter-receiver device SEM and in the in-ear monitor IEMand/or in the wireless microphone DM and is first selected and adjustedwhen initializing the respective communications paths.

The in-ear monitor IEM has a reception unit EE, a control unit SEIEM, astorage SIEM and an audio output AA. Preferably during theinitialization of the wireless communications path between thetransmitter-receiver device SEM and the wireless in-ear monitor IEM, thereception unit EE receives the parameters of the communications pathsuch as the frequency and the transmission-reception power and storesthem in the storage SIEM. During or after the initialization, thereception unit EE adjusts to the respective frequency and thecorresponding reception power by means of the control unit SEIEM basedon the parameters stored in the storage SIEM. Thereafter, by means ofthe reception unit EE, the in-ear monitor IEM can receive the signalswhich are wirelessly transmitted by the transmitter-receiver device SEMand can decode the audio signals contained therein and output them outvia the audio output AA.

Preferably during the initialization of the communications path betweenthe transmitter-receiver device SEM and the wireless microphone DM, thecorresponding information or parameters pertaining to the communicationstransmission path are first conveyed from the transmitter-receiverdevice SEM to the wireless microphone DM. The wireless microphone DM hasa transmission unit SE (which can also receive data and signals), acontrol unit SEDM, a storage SDM, and an audio input AE. The parametersof the communications transmission path which are transmitted by thetransmitter-receiver device during initialization are stored in thestorage SDM. The control unit SEDM then adjusts the respectiveparameters of the communications transmission, e.g., the frequency andthe transmitting power of the wireless microphone, based on theparameters stored in the storage SDM. Accordingly, the audio signalsreceived or recorded by the audio input AE are encoded by the controlunit SEDM and are transmitted or conveyed to the transmitter-receiverdevice SEM via the transmitting unit SE based on the adjusted parametersof the communications transmission path.

The parameters of the communications transmission path can betransmitted by cables or wirelessly, e.g., via an infrared transmissionpath, ultrasonic transmission path, or WLAN transmission path. Inaddition or alternatively, another, separate wireless link can also beprovided for this purpose based, e.g., on an infrared transmission path,ultrasonic transmission path, WLAN transmission path, or HF transmissionpath.

In the following, the construction and operation of the frequencyinformation server FIS will be described in more detail. The server hasan input-output interface EAS, a plurality of databases DB1-DB5, aplurality of calculation tools BT1 and BT2, and a calculation unit BE.The frequency information server FIS receives, via the input/outputinterface EAS, requests or data and information regarding the location,time period, quantity of wireless transmission paths and availableequipment for a projected event. Accordingly, for example, the equipmentthat is available in principle and its technical parameters, i.e., thedata of all known transmitters/receivers are stored in the database.Based on this information and on the information stored in the databasesDB1-DB5 and based on the information determined by the calculationtools, the calculation unit BE calculates a frequency range andcorresponding transmission-reception powers for the desired wirelesstransmission paths. The information and parameters are conveyed from thecalculation unit BE to the frequency information server interface FISS.The information and parameters, are then transmitted from the frequencyinformation server interface FISS to a correspondingtransmitter-receiver device SEM wirelessly or by cables.

Information on wireless microphones and wireless in-ear monitors withrespect to frequency, location, terminal, type of equipment, and user isstored in the first database DB1, i.e., scheduled wireless transmissionpaths for wireless microphones or wireless in-ear monitors are stored inthis database. These personal data and/or location data may be stored inan anonymous manner if required. Information for frequency use ofprimary communications services is stored in the second database DB2.This information can be, for example, information about a location andfield strength predictions of TV transmitters. This applies inparticular to a frequency range in which wireless transmission paths canbe impaired directly or through intermodulation. Information forfrequency use of other wireless applications which are relevant for thefrequency range in which a wireless transmission path can be impaireddirectly or through intermodulation can be stored in the third databaseDB3. Information about technical equipment parameters for determiningthe working range and signal/noise ratio as a function of sensitivity,intermodulation, an occupied bandwidth, etc. is stored in the fourthdatabase DB4. Information about building parameters and terrainparameters can be stored in the fifth database DB5.

The information in databases DB1-DB4 is preferably updated regularly.Alternatively or in addition, the information in databases DB1-DB5 canbe updated based on the requests received through the input-outputinterface EAS. As an alternative to the embodiment example shown in FIG.1, the databases can be provided entirely or partially external to thefrequency information server FIS, for example, on an external serverinsofar as it is ensured that the frequency information server FIS canaccess this information without difficulty.

The first calculation tool BT1 serves to predict propagation parametersin buildings or terrain. The second calculation tool BT2 serves forintermodulation calculation. These external tools BT1-BT2 can likewisebe arranged external to the frequency information server, insofar as itis ensured that the frequency information server FIS can access theresults of the calculation tools.

Further, the frequency information server can have a frequencymanagement interface FWS by means of which the frequency informationserver can communicate with the respective servers of a frequencymanagement agency or regulatory body in order to ensure the monitoringtasks of the frequency management agency or regulatory body. Further, aregulation of licenses can be ensured in this way. By means of thefrequency management interface FWS, an external frequency managementagency or regulatory body can access databases of the frequencyinformation server FIS and can block or release frequencies or frequencyranges entirely or occasionally.

Further, the frequency information server FIS can have a billinginterface GEZ by means of which a billable allocation of frequencies forthe requested wireless transmission paths can be calculated. This can becarried out, for example, in such a way that the corresponding billinginformation is conveyed via the billing interface GEZ to an externalserver for billing.

The input-output interface EAS of the frequency information server FISis preferably designed in such a way that external users can access thisinterface, for example, via the Internet and can go online to enter thedesired information about location, time period, quantity of wirelesstransmission paths and the like.

Continuously updated information on current and projected frequency useof wireless communications transmission paths for wireless microphonesand in-ear monitors is preferably acquired in databases DB1-DB5. Duringthe scheduling of wireless transmission paths for wireless microphonesand/or in-ear monitors, one or more desired locations are indicated,possibly with routing, the intended use period and the intended quantityof microphone paths and/or in-ear monitor paths and the utilizedequipment. The usable frequencies and time periods are coordinated andcorrespondingly allocated by combining these input parameters with theinformation for current or projected regional frequency use, localpropagation characteristics and specific technical systemcharacteristics of the microphones and in-ear monitors, whichinformation is already known and stored in the databases. Frequencyparameters and power parameters, for microphone programming and/orin-ear monitor programming are provided via the standardized interfaces.The programming is preferably carried out automatically. Any requiredcommunications with the responsible frequency management agencies orregulatory bodies are preferably generated and transmittedautomatically. Transaction costs are calculated and settled in acorresponding manner.

In the following, a frequency allocation for a wireless transmissionpath based on the frequency information server described above will bedescribed in more detail by way of example. A connection to theinput-output interface EAS of the frequency information server FIS canbe established over the Internet. Information about the location,required time period, quantity of required wireless transmission pathsand available equipment can be entered via this interface EAS. Based onthe entered planning information and technical system simulation, thefeasibility of the desired wireless transmission paths for this timeperiod at this location is checked and preferably displayed. Theprovisionally determined frequency assignment can already be reserved sothat this frequency assignment at this location at this time cannot beallocated to someone else. As soon as the calculation unit BE of thefrequency information server has determined on the basis of theinformation in the databases that desired wireless transmission pathsare available, the corresponding frequency ranges are securely allocatedfor the time period at this location. When the use of the indicatedwireless transmission paths requires a license or is billable, thecorresponding information is conveyed in a corresponding manner via thebilling interface GEZ. An authorization for the intended frequency usecan then be effected. The allotted frequencies and/ortransmission-reception powers are entered in the frequency database forthe allocation period and allocation location and are accordinglyblocked for other applications. Required information is conveyed to thecorresponding national regulatory bodies. If the scheduling isterminated or interrupted, the provisional frequency reservation iscanceled.

The system described above proves advantageous because a correspondingallocation of the transmission parameters for the wirelesscommunications transmission paths can be carried out in a standardizedmanner within a few minutes. The detected or displayed data can beprovided with varying levels of anonymity for the purpose of dataprotection. Further, scenarios for event scheduling, e.g., the selectionof suitable equipment, can also be carried out in principle. Frequencygroups or frequency ranges can be allotted with time limits forindependent offline frequency scheduling, for example, for largerevents.

The system described above is relevant for a detailed national and/orregional frequency allocation (in the neighborhood of frontiers, thefrequency allocation must be coordinated with the neighboring country sothat an international frequency allocation can also be made possible),for the description and effect of the primary frequency bank use, andfor the description and effect of neighboring frequency use. Further,technical characteristics of the wireless microphones and wirelessin-ear monitors which are used or will be used and the technicalcharacteristics of neighboring microphones and in-ear monitors can betaken into account. Location documents and field documents can be usedfor field strength calculation. Further, absorption parameters ofbuilding materials and buildings can be detected and stored in thedatabases. The transmitter evaluation and/or receiver evaluation can becarried out, for example, by system simulation techniques.

According to an alternative embodiment example which is based on thefirst embodiment example described above, the wireless microphones DM,in-ear monitors IEM and transmitter-receiver device SEM can each have anIP address which can be stored, for example, in the respective storage.Accordingly, each wireless microphone, each in-ear monitor and eachtransmitter-receiver unit can be controlled directly by the frequencyinformation server FIS or a corresponding communication can be madepossible.

The invention is also directed to a frequency information system forallocating a frequency for a wireless audio communications path. Thesystem has an input-output interface for receiving requests for afrequency for a wireless audio communications path. This request canhave the location, the time period, the quantity of wireless audiocommunications paths and/or the available equipment for the wirelessaudio communications path. Further, the frequency information system hasat least one database for storing information about the used frequency,the location, the terminal, types of equipment and/or the user ofwireless audio communications paths. A calculation unit coordinates therequested audio communications paths with the information stored in theat least one database. The transmission parameters of the requestedwireless audio communications path are allocated. Further, the frequencyinformation system has a frequency information server interface forgiving out the transmission parameters of the requested wireless audiocommunications path which are allocated by the calculation unit.

The wireless path or audio communications path indicated in theembodiment examples described above pertain to a wireless transmissionpath by means of which audio signals are transmitted and received. Thiswireless path or audio communications path can be, for example, an HFtransmission path (or UHF transmission path), an infrared transmissionpath, an ultrasonic transmission path, a WLAN transmission path or thelike. The wireless path or wireless audio communications path ispreferably an HF transmission path, and the frequencies of thistransmission path are subject to certain restrictions with respect tolicensing or release.

The transmitter-receiver device SEM described above is preferably areceiver for a wireless microphone and/or a transmitter for an in-earmonitor or wireless headphones or a wireless headset. This apparatus canbe arranged in an audio signal processing device, e.g., a mixing board,or in a TV camera or a video camera with a wireless transmitter-receiverunit.

Although the transmitter-receiver device SEM according to the firstembodiment example has a transmitter-receiver interface, atransmitter-receiver device having no direct interface to the frequencyinformation server can also be provided alternatively. This can becarried out, for example, in that another audio signal processing deviceor a computer is connected to the transmitter-receiver device SEM.

The wireless path and audio communications paths described above canalso be provided, for example, between a wireless microphone and a TVcamera or video camera with a corresponding wireless receiver unit. Thewireless receiver unit of the camera can then convey the audio signalreceived from the wireless microphone to another wireless receiverdevice. Alternatively or in addition, an audio signal can be conveyedfrom the other wireless receiver device to the camera which then conveysthe audio signal to a wireless receiver. Accordingly, staging directionscan be conveyed to a reporter via the camera. In this connection, thewireless microphone and the camera can both be designed as mobilewireless audio communications apparatus. Alternatively or in addition,the camera can also be designed as a transmitter-receiver device for awireless audio communications path. The allocation of the parameters ofthese wireless transmission paths or audio communications paths whichcan implement wireless audio can be carried out in the manner describedabove.

While this invention has been described in conjunction with the specificembodiments outlined above, it is evident that many alternatives,modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in theart. Accordingly, the preferred embodiments of the invention as setforth above are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Variouschanges may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of theinventions as defined in the following claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A frequency information server forallocating a radio frequency for a wireless audio communications pathbetween at least one wireless audio transmitter unit and at least onewireless audio receiver unit, the frequency information servercomprising: an input-output interface adapted to receive requests for aradio frequency for a wireless audio communications path, where therequest includes a time period and a quantity of required wireless audiocommunications paths; at least one database for storing informationabout utilized radio frequencies and time periods of wireless audiocommunications paths; a calculation unit for coordinating the requestedaudio communications path with the information stored in the at leastone database, and for allocating transmission parameters of therequested wireless audio communications path; and a frequencyinformation server interface for outputting the transmission parametersof the requested wireless audio communications path which are allocatedby the calculation unit; wherein the wireless audio communications pathis a radio frequency transmission path.
 2. The frequency informationserver according to claim 1; wherein the requests for a radio frequencyfor a wireless audio communications path further include a location forthe requested wireless audio communications path, and wherein the atleast one database further includes: information about locations ofutilized frequencies; and time periods of wireless audio communicationspaths.
 3. The frequency information server according to claim 2; whereininformation for radio frequency use of primary communications servicesis stored in the database.
 4. The frequency information server accordingto claim 2, further comprising: a frequency management interface;wherein the frequency information server is configured to communicatewith respective servers of a radio frequency management agency orregulatory body for performing regional frequency allocation via thefrequency management interface.
 5. The frequency information serveraccording to claim 1; wherein the requests for a radio frequency for awireless audio communications path further include types of availableequipment for the requested wireless audio communications path.
 6. Thefrequency information server according to claim 1; wherein the at leastone database further includes: information about the users of utilizedradio frequencies; and time periods of wireless audio communicationspaths.
 7. The frequency information server according to claim 6, furthercomprising: a billing interface configured to transmit billinginformation corresponding to the allocation of radio frequencies for therequested wireless transmission paths to an external server for billing.8. The frequency information server according to claim 1; wherein thetransmission parameters outputted by the frequency information serverinterface include the radio transmitting frequency.
 9. The frequencyinformation server according to claim 8; wherein the transmissionparameters outputted by the frequency information server interfacefurther include the transmitting power.
 10. The frequency informationserver according to claim. 8; wherein the transmission parametersoutputted by the frequency information server interface further includethe transmitting time.
 11. The frequency information server according toclaim 1; wherein the at least one database is configured to be updatedbased on the requests received through the input-output interface. 12.The frequency information server according to claim 1; wherein thefrequency information server interface is configured to output theallocated transmission parameters directly to a correspondingtransmitter-receiver device.
 13. The frequency information serveraccording to claim 1; wherein the input-output interface for receivingrequests for a radio frequency for a wireless audio communications pathis configured so that external users can access this interface via theInternet.
 14. The frequency information server according to claim 1;wherein the calculation unit calculates a radio frequency range or radiofrequency groups for a multiple of requested wireless transmissionpaths.
 15. The frequency information server according to claim 1;wherein the frequency information server interface is configured tooutput the allocated transmission parameters to a computer that isconfigured to be connected to a corresponding transmitter-receiverdevice.
 16. A frequency information server for allocating a frequencyfor a wireless audio communications path between at least one wirelessaudio transmitter unit and at least one wireless audio receiver unit,the frequency information server comprising: an input-output interfacefor receiving requests for a radio frequency for a wireless audiocommunications path, where the request includes a location, a timeperiod, and a quantity of required wireless audio communications paths;at least one database for storing information about utilized radiofrequencies, locations, and time periods of wireless audiocommunications paths; a calculation unit for coordinating the requestedaudio communications path with the information stored in the at leastone database, and for allocating transmission parameters of therequested wireless audio communications path; and a frequencyinformation server interface for outputting the transmission parametersof the requested wireless audio communications path which are allocatedby the calculation unit; wherein the wireless audio communications pathis a radio frequency transmission path.